Bouncing back after a holiday

2 January 2025
Amina Sabjee

Bouncing back after a holiday

Singing in the tune of Mambo Number 5’s chorus: “A little bit of Simba crisps in my life, a little bit of fizzy drinks by my side, a little bit of ice cream is all I need, A little bit of pudding is what I see…”

Let’s be honest with ourselves, we all overindulge a little when we are on holiday, and coming back from the festive season surely leaves us feeling like we have returned from a gastronomic adventure.

After all that family time and get-togethers with friends and loved ones, one consumes a fair share of pudding and chocolate that you usually would not indulge in otherwise, and your body could use the detox.

Fear not for here are 8 tips for detoxing after a splurge:

1. Be kind to yourself.

First things first, don’t punish yourself for those joyful moments shared with your family and friends.

Your body needs time to recover, and it needs good wholesome, nourishing food to rebuild itself so do not skip meals or overdo it at an exercise bootcamp.

2. Hydrate.

Without realising it, all the activities that you partook in over the holidays may well have left you a bit parched and feeling tired and even weak.

Ensure that you rehydrate and drink plenty of water which will help flush out the toxins to support your kidneys.

3. Exercise.

Dust out those workout shoes and get back into your exercise routine if you have stopped, or now is a great time to start those stretches and go for that morning run that you’ve been putting off for the past few weeks.

Sweating out those toxins with a good and fun Zumba session is a great idea. Dance like no one is watching!

4. Pantry cleanse

Go through your grocery cupboard and cleanse it of the highly processed foods that may tempt you to fall back into unhealthy habits.

Instead, replace these processed foods with healthier snacks and fruit for when that snack attack creeps up on you.

5. Green tea in moderation.

Green tea is known for detoxing the body, regulating blood sugar, disease prevention, and overall aid in liver function.

A refreshing cup of green tea every 2^nd or 3^rd day can surprisingly make you feel better.

6. Sweet dreams with adequate sleep.

You may not realise how little sleep you may have had, and your body and mind need enough sleep for both your physical and mental health.
Go to bed at the same time every night and attempt to awaken at the same time every morning to get back into a healthy routine, giving yourself between 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep is like a mini vacation for your body every evening.

7. Culinary detox with garlic and herbs.

Garlic activates liver enzymes and helps flush out toxins.

Herbs and roots such as Milk Thistle, Turmeric and Moringa not only add flavour but also assist in bringing balance to your body.

8. Green leafy veg.

Giant leafy green salads eliminate environmental toxins and contribute to a well-functioning digestive system.

Whether consumed as part of a meal or blended into a smoothie, one thing is guaranteed, a healthier gut.

There you have it – eight friendly tips to help you detox after the holiday festivities. Remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection. Embrace the journey, treat yourself with kindness, and let the detox adventure begin!

This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical/financial advice. Please consult with a healthcare/financial professional for personalised guidance.

References

Agyeman, V. (2022, August 15). 10 Health Benefits of Moringa, According to Nutritionists.
Retrieved from Good house keeping:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a40758441/moringa-health-benefits/

Gracia, Z. (2022, April 3). Retrieved from Better Me:
https://betterme.world/articles/after-holiday-detox/

Harrington, K. (2021). 8 Ways To Detox Your Body After Holiday Imbibing. Retrieved from Healthy Goods:
https://www.healthygoods.com/blogs/news/detoxing-your-body-after-holiday-imbibing

How much sleep is enough. (2022, March 24). Retrieved from NHLBI:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/how-much-sleep

Jones, J. (2023, May 31). Health Line. Retrieved from:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-green-tea-extract